Square piano by John Melly, Dublin, circa 1800, the case lid...

Estimate

£700 - £1,000

Square piano by John Melly, Dublin, circa 1800, the case lid veneered in handsomely-figured mahogany, the sides similarly veneered in panels with rosewood and kingwood crossbanding, the centre and corner panels each with a marquetry plaque, the satinwood fasciaboard painted with scrollwork and foliage, the cheeks with an ebony oval plaque inset with Prince of Wales feathers, the five octave keyboard, FF to f3 omitting FF♯ , with ivory naturals and ebony accidentals, single action, the dampers now absent, the soundboard covered by a five-panel Venetian swell, the mechanism now disconnected and the pedal absent, on frame stand with square tapered legs veneered en suite with case and inlaid with a floral motif, 63.25" wide, 22" deep, 31.5" high

** Ivory sale submission reference AJJY3K6M

***We believe that the case is very much in the style of the Irish cabinet maker William Moore

****An original damper has been retained which could be a useful template in any future restoration

More Information

There is some serious damage to the soundboard in the bottom left corner adjacent to the keyboard and the bridge is badly split at the treble end. The dampers are missing as is the damper rail. The shelf stretcher is a stained pine replacement not solid mahogany as it should be. The back hinges have been replaced.